Of Notoriety: ‘Newsies' stage scoop, Festival of the Lakes, St. John Fest
Weddings, funerals and inheritances are key topics in the dark humor storyline of 'Outside Mullingar,' closing a three-week run Sunday, July 13. Irish playwright John Patrick Shanley takes a 'Romeo and Juliet' approach for beer-swigging Anthony and chain-smoking Rosemary, both hopelessly single, longtime neighbors who share fears about their futures living on their adjoining farm properties. It's deliciously directed by Michael Lasswell and stars Peter Gertas, Morgan McCabe, Robert Reidy and Danielle Bilderback in a shared spotlight on the Dunes Summer Theatre historic stage, 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michigan City, continuing the venue's 74th anniversary season. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $30 to $35 for all general seating and available at www.dunesarts.org or call 219-879-7509.
The annual St. John Festival returns July 10-13 to the St. John the Evangelist Parish grounds, bringing food and entertainment for all ages. More than a dozen local restaurants and fair food favorites await festgoers, alongside afternoon and evening concerts, a nightly indoor casino and kids' game classics like Skee Ball and Mini Golf. The fest runs 5-11 p.m. Thursday, 5-12 a.m. Friday, 3-12 a.m. Saturday and 3-9 p.m. Sunday. Carnival wristband prices range from $25-$60. For more information, visit www.stjohnfest.org.
Direct from Las Vegas, Tyler Christopher once again dons his sequined jumpsuits on the Theatre at the Center stage, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, for a return concert at 7:30 p.m., July 12, in tribute to Elvis Presley. Audiences will enjoy wardrobe changes and all the popular iconic hits like 'Hound Dog,' 'Don't Be Cruel,' 'Blue Suede Shoes,' 'Burnin' Love' and 'Fallin' in Love.' Tickets are $40 at www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com or 219-836-3255, and there is the option of a four-course pre-concert dinner in the ballroom with an Elvis-themed menu for an additional $30, with reservations required at 219-836-1930 Ext. 2.
Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and the Hammond Port Authority are hosting the return of Hyryder to The Pavilion at Wolf Lake at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28. Hyryder ranks as one of the Midwest's premier Grateful Dead tribute bands and has been captivating audiences with their riveting live performances since 2008, with a quest to keep the Dead's music alive, and they carry this torch with distinction. It's billed as an immersive live performance to transport audiences to enjoy the legendary songs and showmanship established by the late Jerry Garcia. Hyryder is a free show as part of The Pavilion at Wolf Lake's Summer Concert Series, with details at www.wolflakepavilion.com.
Festival of the Lakes in Hammond arrives this month with headlining musical favorites paired with carnival and food vendors. The headlining schedule stars John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame on Wednesday, July 16, country music superstar Brantley Gilbert on Thursday, July 17, hip-hop sensation Akon on Friday, July 18, weekend headliner Third Eye Blind on Saturday, July 19, and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho on Sunday, July 20. All of this year's 2025 performances are free once again with VIP upgrades available for $110. Parking onsite is $35, with details at www.festivalofthelakes.com.
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Los Angeles Times
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- Los Angeles Times
What's next for SAG-AFTRA as Fran Drescher declines to seek reelection
Fran Drescher's decision to not run for reelection as SAG-AFTRA president opens up the race to lead a major Hollywood labor union at a pivotal time as actors face issues such as the rise of AI and a challenging job market two years after a long strike. Actors Sean Astin and Chuck Slavin are seeking to succeed Drescher in the upcoming election that aims to address concerns about job protections, healthcare and expanding residuals. Astin, known for acting in the 'The Lord of the Rings' films, is on SAG-AFTRA's national and local L.A. board, while Slavin is on the union's New England board. 'It's time in this specific situation where we really need reform,' Slavin said in an interview. 'We're not getting it, because what we're getting right now is a rearrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic.' Hollywood's entertainment industry has significant obstacles, as companies cut back on production amid studio consolidation and many TV and films are made elsewhere due to lower costs and financial incentives. Meanwhile, innovation in AI technology has made it easier for artists to create their own visual effects and conceptualization of their ideas without hiring actors. All of that has made it more difficult for performers and other entertainment workers to find jobs that are sustainable to live in Southern California. Hollywood unions are preparing to negotiate new contracts with major studios next year. In 2023 — the last contract negotiations — the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA led dual Hollywood strikes that resulted in companies halting work on many productions. The deals that ended the strikes carved out more pay and AI protections for writers and actors. Drescher was the face of the actors' strike, delivering a fiery speech that addressed class issues in the entertainment industry. She asked whether Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger was an 'ignoramus' after he said actors' demands were not realistic. SAG-AFTRA's contract, reached after a 118-day strike, brought an estimated $1 billion in gains for members over three years, according to the union. The contract included streaming bonuses and AI protections, including requiring employers to have consent from actors before creating or using 'digital replicas' and to pay performers if those replicas were used. 'Here's a woman who's challenging these male moguls and having to arm wrestle them, knowing that her own career could be at stake,' said Stephen Galloway, dean of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. 'She was fearless.' Drescher, known as the lead character in the sitcom 'The Nanny,' had positioned herself as a nonpartisan leader. She was reelected amid the strike in 2023, receiving 81% of the votes cast. In her campaign statement, Drescher said that 'member unity will be my greatest legacy.' Drescher and SAG-AFTRA pushed for national and state legislation to bring more AI protections to performers, including bills that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law last year that gave actors more control over their digital likenesses. Drescher's decision to not run for reelection became official on Friday when her name did not appear on the ballot distributed by the union. She did not respond to a request for comment. Slavin said that while Drescher did a 'fine' job, he felt the AI protections in its current contract could have gone a lot farther. The contract ended up getting approved by 78% of the votes cast by SAG-AFTRA's members. Slavin, who has acted in the movie 'Annabelle Hooper and the Ghosts of Nantucket,' said his platform will prioritize AI guardrails, equitable contracts for all members regardless of their market size, advocate for better residuals and help protect vulnerable workers. Astin is running as part of the 'The Coalition' slate, which advocates for issues including AI protections, strengthening U.S. production and expanding residuals, according to its website. Astin's representative did not respond to a request for comment. Staff writer Meg James contributed to this report.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
The Jonas Brothers know what their audience wants. To be kids again.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Near the end of the Jonas Brothers concert on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Nick Jonas started ruminating about how grateful he was for everyone who helped him and his brothers, Joe and Kevin, succeed in the music industry. Their parents. Many people in attendance that night, which was the kickoff show for the band's 20-year anniversary tour. And, of course, a multibillion dollar corporate entity. 'One of those, it's not a person, but a thing: Disney,' Nick told the crowd, reminiscing about the time the company — which helped rocket the sibling trio to fame in the early aughts with a record deal, TV appearances and their own show — asked Joe to audition for a 2008 film starring newcomer Demi Lovato. Their father negotiated for Nick and Kevin to land roles as well. 'I think it's time that we all walk down this memory lane and celebrate a little movie called 'Camp Rock.'' The audience went ballistic at the mention of the hit Disney Channel movie that holds a special place in the hearts of millennials everywhere, one that includes a thrilling and cathartic duet between Lovato and Joe (who briefly dated in real life) called 'This Is Me.' ('You're the voice I hear inside my head, the reason that I'm singing, I need to find you … I gotta find you.') But that sound was nothing compared with the ear-shattering decibel levels when Lovato herself strolled onstage for a surprise appearance, joining Joe for a rendition of 'This Is Me' along with 'Wouldn't Change a Thing' from the 2010 sequel, 'Camp Rock 2.' The JoBros have been through quite a bit since they started their careers as teen stars two decades ago — selling millions of albums; embarking on successful solo side projects; and going through a rift so severe (creative differences, their rep explained) that they split up for nearly six years. The brothers make it clear that they take their individual artistic identities seriously, so it would have been understandable if they avoided their Disney-fied years as much as possible. Yet Sunday night was a reminder of how they understand their roles, and how they have endured through all their ups and downs because they understand exactly what their audience wants: upbeat earworm pop songs and nostalgia heaped upon nostalgia. During the concert, Nick and Joe crooned their lesser-known tracks in a sing-off battle; they played newer records, including several songs from their seventh studio album, 'Greetings From Your Hometown,' that just dropped on Friday. But ultimately, the brothers know what's going to make fans lose their minds. In addition to stacking the set list with past hits ('Lovebug,' 'S.O.S.,' 'Year 3000,' 'Burnin' Up'), they brought out early 2000s star Jesse McCartney — one of the first artists they opened for on tour — to belt out 'Beautiful Soul.' They invited Switchfoot to play 'Meant to Live,' because the band inspired the brothers to write their first song together. They played Joe's side project DNCE's 'Cake By the Ocean' and Nick's solo 'Jealous.' But as they probably anticipated, Lovato, a longtime millennial favorite, stole the show. While leaving the stadium, the audience buzzed about her cameo ('I feel like I'm 11 again!'). Attendees had already uploaded the 'Camp Rock' performance footage to TikTok, where fans couldn't believe what they were seeing. 'MY THERAPIST WILL BE HEARING ABOUT THIS,' one person posted. 'Okay I have CHILLS, why does this affect me so much,' posted another. 'Adult me is healing,' another wrote. 'Cause I can feel my childlike happiness.' The tour — titled JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown — treks across the country until mid-November and arrives in the Washington area on Tuesday, where the brothers will play Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow. Originally, they were supposed to play Nationals Park, but this was one of six dates where the trio had to downsize from stadiums to arenas and amphitheaters. While they would still play to huge crowds who crave a night of throwback songs, the change inspired a wave of social media commentary that questioned whether the Jonas Brothers could fill stadiums in 2025, when many artists are struggling to sell tickets. But at MetLife (one of two stadiums that stayed on the schedule, along with Fenway Park), tens of thousands of fans packed the venue — how could they not? Even without knowing the slate of special guests, this was the hometown show. 'My name is Nick Jonas and Wyckoff, New Jersey, is my hometown!' Nick, 32, said at the top of the show. Joe, 35, who moved to Florida years ago, echoed: 'Even though I took my talents to Miami, New Jersey is my hometown!' 'New Jersey is still my hometown!' Kevin, 37, yelled as the crowd screamed, standing about a half hour from where the siblings were raised. A towering bridge set piece was meant to evoke the George Washington Bridge, Nick said later in the show. They had to travel across it to New York City countless times as they tried to live out their dreams from the Jersey suburbs. Back when Nick appeared in Broadway shows such as 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Les Misérables' as a child and got a record deal. Back when their lives changed after a label executive heard the brothers sing together and wondered whether they might work better as a trio. At MetLife, they highlighted their familial bond as usual, and invited their parents and younger brother Frankie (known as the 'bonus Jonas') to the stage for their closing number, 'When You Look Me In the Eyes,' which they co-wrote with their father, Kevin Sr., and released in 2007. 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Kevin has been married to his wife, Danielle, since 2009 and they have two daughters (and once starred in their own E! reality show); Nick wed actress Priyanka Chopra in 2018 and they have a daughter; Joe tied the knot with actress Sophie Turner in 2019 and had two daughters, though the pair divorced in 2023. Joe and Turner's divorce coverage got messy after tabloid stories cast Turner as a partyer and Joe as a dutiful father, a narrative that outraged observers on social media. But the Jonas Brothers as celebrities have mostly managed to keep their images intact in the eyes of fans, who have watched their evolution from dreamy teen stars to fathers. 'I Heart Hot Dads' was a popular T-shirt choice at the concert. Asked about their Jonas Brothers fandom before the show, several concertgoers name-checked their love of 'Camp Rock' before they even realized Lovato was in the house. A 30-year-old named Shelby, in attendance with her two 30-something friends, said it was her 11th JoBros show: 'The Jonas Brothers, that's all I need,' she said. Megan, 25, and Danielle, 27, of Long Island said they had been listening since the earliest days, and Megan said she even watched 'Claim to Fame,' the 2022 nepo baby show on ABC hosted by Kevin and Frankie. And then Melissa, 29, from Upstate New York summed up the reason she and tens of thousands of others were there, and why the brothers will always have an audience no matter how much time passes. 'It's our childhood,' she said.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
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Lucasfilm and Disney settle with actor Gina Carano following her firing from 'The Mandalorian'
Actor Gina Carano has settled her federal lawsuit against Lucasfilm and its parent The Walt Disney Co. over her claim that she was fired from ' The Mandalorian ' in 2021 for expressing right-wing views on social media. The specific terms of the agreement were not made available. 'Ms. Carano was always well respected by her directors, co-stars, and staff, and she worked hard to perfect her craft while treating her colleagues with kindness and respect,' Lucasfilm said in a statement. 'With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.' The two sides stipulated in a federal court filing Thursday, Aug. 7, that the case should be dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can't be refiled. A judge still needs to formally dismiss it. The case had been scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles in February of next year. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California last year, alleged Carano was wrongfully terminated from the 'Star Wars' galaxy Disney+ series after two seasons due to a post likening the treatment of American conservatives to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany. Her posts were widely criticized online and spurred a trending #FireGinaCarano hashtag. 'I'd like to thank you all for your unrelenting support throughout my life and career, you've been the heartbeat that has kept my story alive. I hope to make you proud,' Carano wrote in a statement Thursday. 'I am excited to flip the page and move onto the next chapter. My desires remain in the arts, which is where I hope you will join me.' Carano thanked Elon Musk for helping fund the lawsuit 'and asking for nothing in return.' The suit had alleged that the 43-year-old actor was fired because she 'dared voice her own opinions' against an 'online bully mob who demanded her compliance with their extreme progressive ideology.' Carano is a former mixed martial artist who played the recurring character Cara Dune on the show, which launched in 2019 and ran for three seasons. A feature film starring Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, 'The Mandalorian and Grogu,' is set for release next summer. Carano had previously been criticized for mocking mask wearing during the pandemic and making false allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.
